7. Bruce Lee Trained George Lazenby, Steve McQueen & Roman Polanski To Fight
Once Bruce Lee had made martial arts cool in the United States, everyone wanted in on it: "everyone" being a host of actors, directors and celebrities - some of whom you wouldn't have expected to be interested - or capable of learning - at all. Whilst Lee trained with some folk just for the sheer hell of it, he trained others in prep for particular film roles. One notable student was James Bond himself, George Lazenby, who - completely broke - was cast in the incomplete film Game of Death with a proposed salary of $100,000. Interestingly, it was Lazenby (who had been training with Lee in preparation for shooting) who was supposed to meet Lee for lunch on the day that he died by allergic reaction. Lee also trained The Great Escape star Steve McQueen, who was not only his student but one of his best friends, too. The weirdest student all, of course, was director Roman Polanski (Chinatown), who doesn't look like a martial artist at all. He, like McQueen, became good friends with Bruce Lee and clearly sought the opportunity for free lessons. Other notable celebrity students include James Coburn, Mike Stone, Joe Lewis, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Chuck Norris. And speaking of Chuck Norris...
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
Once Bruce Lee had made martial arts cool in the United States, everyone wanted in on it: "everyone" being a host of actors, directors and celebrities - some of whom you wouldn't have expected to be interested - or capable of learning - at all. Whilst Lee trained with some folk just for the sheer hell of it, he trained others in prep for particular film roles. One notable student was James Bond himself, George Lazenby, who - completely broke - was cast in the incomplete film Game of Death with a proposed salary of $100,000. Interestingly, it was Lazenby (who had been training with Lee in preparation for shooting) who was supposed to meet Lee for lunch on the day that he died by allergic reaction. Lee also trained The Great Escape star Steve McQueen, who was not only his student but one of his best friends, too. The weirdest student all, of course, was director Roman Polanski (Chinatown), who doesn't look like a martial artist at all. He, like McQueen, became good friends with Bruce Lee and clearly sought the opportunity for free lessons. Other notable celebrity students include James Coburn, Mike Stone, Joe Lewis, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Chuck Norris. And speaking of Chuck Norris...